Stony Brook nearly joined the ranks of Football Championship Subdivision schools to beat Football Bowl Subdivision schools, leading for most of the game before UTEP rallied to a 31-24 win in overtime.
Junior Miguel Maysonet ran for 105 yards and senior Brock Jackolski added another 99 yards as Stony Brook outperformed its opponent 231-36 on the ground. The defense, led by senior Donald Porter's two interceptions, recovered two fumbles, including one for a touchdown.
Stony Brook got its offense started on the second possession of the game. After a 24-yard, play-action pass from Coulter to junior Chris Fenelon, Jackolski found space, scampering 34 yards off left guard for the touchdown and a 7-0 Seawolves lead. Stony Brook out-gained UTEP in total yards, 183-55, in the first quarter and by more than 200 yards at halftime.
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After Porter grabbed his first interception, the Seawolves offense went back to work in the middle of the second quarter. The Seawolves advanced to the one, and settled for a 19-yard field goal from junior Wesley Skiffington and a 10-3 halftime lead.
"I think we have a lot of talent that this crowd witnessed tonight," coach Chuck Priore said. "We made a few mistakes that ultimately hurt us. I was proud of the effort, and we'll build off this game."
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Stony Brook would take control of the game in the middle of the third. A 14 play, 83 yard drive ended with Kyle Essington breaking into the endzone on a 2 yard run. On the first play of the next possession, UTEP quarterback Nick Lamaison, in his first start for the team, was sacked and fumbled the ball. Jonathan Coats recovered the fumble and ran 14 yards for the score, giving Stony Brook a 24-10 lead, its biggest of the game.
UTEP would come back from the deficit behind two touchdown passes from Lamaison, the second tying the game at 24 with 4:04 left in regulation.
Stony Brook won the toss before overtime and deferred to UTEP. The Miners made quick work of the opportunity as Lamaison found Donavon Kemp on a crossing route for the touchdown on the first play.
The Seawolves looked to answer on the first play of their overtime possession. Senior quarterback Michael Coulter played well with 15-27 passing for 168 yards and an interception. Unfortunately, the interception was thrown on the final play of the game as Coulter was looking for Jackolski, but Travaun Nixon picked off the throw at the four to seal the victory for UTEP.
Stony Brook gets another chance at an FBS school when they travel to Buffalo on Saturday.
